Home & Garden

Shopping in a Japanse supermarket can be overwhelming, but navigating the cleaning aisle can be a search in dispiriting. Don’t struggle any longer. I have probably tested every cleaning product in Japan and here is my recommend Must Have Top 10 Japanese Cleaning Products. If you miss your favourite home …

Electrically assisted bicycles is a great way to save money while burning off some extra calories! When you take a stroll down the street mums riding electrically assisted bicycles are bound to soar by. The number of people purchasing electrically assisted bicycles escalated after the March 11 earthquake in 2011; as …

Tokyo Urban Garden Planting Calendar – Autumn. Whether you`re an accomplished gardener or a novice, gardening is a great opportunity to partner with Mother Nature and bond with family and friends. Gardening teaches patience, care and offers a pathway to better health and nutrition. Our advice for novice gardeners is to …

Tokyo is a clean city on the surface but the everyday pollution and fast pace of life can take a beating on your clothes, so here are our top Japanese laundry products to help you out. As a mom of four and a pet owner I highly recommend these Must …

If you are looking for art supplies for a school project, new crafting passion or a Halloween costume here is a short list of the best Tokyo arts and crafts supply stores.  I have listed up a few places that are my go to locations in Tokyo; many of these also …

Nitori is the IKEA or Bed Bath & Beyond of Japan selling affordable furniture and interior goods.  Nitori is a nationwide chain with more than 300 stores throughout Japan and around 50 stores outside the country. It’s a great place to shop if you are setting up a home in Japan or if you want …

Dirty Dishes is well known amongst the Tokyo & Yokohama expat community as the “Best” place to stock up on Japanese tableware. Dirty Dishes is a family owned dish trading company actually called Okuno Shokai located in a  sleepy residential area of Kawasaki, Kanagawa-ken. If you have a car and …

If you need to stock-up for your new apartment or a new seasonal wardrobe for you or the kids, there are 10 greater Tokyo area outlet centers. Japanese outlets usually offer a 30-50% discount off of department store prices – although most of the product is made specifically for outlets …

My two favorite home shopping centers in Tokyo are D2 and Super Viva Home Center. If I need something quickly, I bike over to the local D2, but if I need a wider DIY selection a visit to Super Viva Home Center is the answer. If Home Depot had a …

Although mold grows year round the months from May to September are the months the Japan house mold fighting products are in high usage. The combination of heat and humidity is a breeding ground for mold.  Keeping on top of prevention every day is an absolute must to keep your family healthy …

If you`re looking for affordable furniture and inspiration to decorate your home, garden or office look no further than IKEA Japan. IKEA has 9 locations in Japan; Tachikawa (Tokyo), Kohoku (Yokohama), Tokyo Bay (Chiba), Shinmisato (Saitama), Tsuruhama (Osaka), Kobe, Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Sendai (Miyagi). They carry everything from ready to assemble furniture, kitchens, …

We are sharing our favorite Japan rainy season survival items to make your life easier and safer. Rainy Season in Japan starts in mid-June and runs through most of July. It is hot, wet and sticky – the perfect conditions for mold and bugs; so keep your home as dry …

Kappabashi is a cook`s paradise. Kappabashi street is lined with shops selling all manner of tools and equipment for kitchens, from knives to Japanese pottery, kitchenware, baking goods and party supplies. Highly recommend a visit during the week when less crowded. Ample parking and easily accessible by train. Here is …

Akihabara is no longer just for electronics shopping. About 500M away from Akihabara station a renovated train station with cool new food and boutique. The train station integrity was maintained so you know you are in an old train station due to the shape of the walls and walkways at …

Have you heard of Kurashinity? We are all super busy moms with work, PTA, Girl Scouts, keeping the family fed, and oh, yes — cleaning the house and doing the laundry. It’s a heavy load to bear, and getting it all done without assistance can seem insurmountable at times. But …

If you want to decorate your place from scratch or just freshen it up Actus Interiors, the Pottery Barn of Japan, is one your best interior accessories and furniture options. Actus has expanded to about 30 stores of which 13 are in the Tokyo and Kanagawa area. I love shopping …

Without fail, I have found beautiful “made in Japan” gifts at Wise Wise Tools in Roppongi Midtown. Although their assortment is not wide vs. other Japanese art and craft stores, the merchandisers have selected an amazing variety of home utilitarian items, decor, toys, and wear. A large percentage of the …

If you are in search of a great gift for someone special or just to treat yourself drop into Living Motif!  We originally wrote this post for Father’s Day, but it is still relevant if you love interior design and accessories. Living Motif has the most amazing selection of design …

Søstrene Grene a Scandinavian design home accessories, kitchen ware, gifts, stationery and interior furnishings chain has opened their first store in Japan.  The store is located right off the main Omotesando strip behind Omotesando Hills. The store offers super value items from yarn, paint, and beads to candles and end tables for your apartment. …

Time to plant your spring garden. D2 Home Center is one of my favorite places to shop in Tokyo. Everything you need for apartment living. Great if you are spring cleaning and need boxes, cleaning products or organizational plastic storage boxes. If you are ready to start a flower or …

Obento making is a daily occurrence in homes with children who attend Japanese yochien. We spoke to veteran obento making moms and these are their recommended obento making items. Many can be found at Toys R Us Japan, department stores like Aeon Style or on Amazon Japan. We have highlighted Amazon products below which …

Fukubukuro Lucky Bags in Japan – 10 Tips for Smooth Shopping What are Fukubukuro? Since its inception in the early 20th century, fukubukuro have become synonymous with New Year’s in Japan. Originally intended as a means for shops to sell off excess inventory, these lucky bags typically contain merchandise sold …

Journal Standard Square located between Meiji Jingu and Shibuya stations is one of the best Tokyo one-stop shopping locations for Japanese home accessories and kitchenware.  If you are trying to minimize your belongings, do not step in this store!! Every item for sale is beautiful and a “must have” from …

10 Baby Proofing Items You Need In Your Japanese Home We love to watch our babies grow and explore their surroundings, but we don’t often realize what’s dangerous until they’ve gotten their little hands and months on something! Baby proofing items are called itazura boushi guzzu (イタズラ防止グッズ) and you can …

Guide to Rice Cookers in Japan Rice is the staple of the Japanese diet and there’s no shortage of rice cookers (炊飯器 | すいはんき | suihanki) on the market that aim to make modern-day cooking as efficient as possible. This guide will walk you through the basic functions of a …